Slimming World leader Janine is happy to be Peter Andre's Mysterious Girl

Inspiring people to lose weight and get fit has earned a Slimming World manager from Clitheroe thanks from TV heartthrob and singer Peter Andre.

Janine Bannister, who manages Slimming World groups in Clitheroe, was delighted to get a chance to meet Peter, who topped the charts in the 90s with the hit Mysterious Girl, when he presented the annual Slimming World Awards an event he co hosted with the organisation’s founder and chair Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE.

Janine said Peter’s presence at the awards was extra special because earlier in 2017 he supported Slimming World’s most successful fundraising event ever – The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, which raised a record-breaking £3.3 million in just two weeks.

The annual clothes throw encourages Slimming World’s 900,000 group members to donate the clothes, shoes, bags and accessories that are now too big for them to Cancer Research UK, by filling up specially-branded bags and taking them along to their weekly group sessions.

Janines said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the members in Clitheroe.

"Throughout 2017 they have lost fantastic amounts of weight, with many of them hitting their target weights, improving their health and boosting their confidence.

“It’s so rewarding to see people being able to do things that they didn’t think were possible before losing weight, whether that’s having more energy, feeling happier, wearing smaller clothes, taking up new hobbies, reducing medication or doing more with their family and friends.

"Every week I feel extremely lucky to play even a small part in people’s achievements and I felt very honoured to represent Clitheroe at the Slimming World Awards."

Janine said that meeting Peter was a "real treat" as he was bowled over by the difference Slimming World can make to people's lives.

Janine added: "I am heading into 2018 super motivated to support even more people in Clitheroe to be inspired to lose weight and lead healthier and happier lives.”

Peter, who set up his own foundation with Cancer Research UK – the Peter Andre Fund – after losing his brother to cancer, said he was thrilled to meet Janine at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre.

He added: “It was an honour to be invited to present the Slimming World Awards. I met so many incredible people who had lost amazing amounts of weight and transformed themselves – inside and out.

"While each of them was inspirational in their own special way, the one thing they all had in common was how much they felt they owed to their “Slimming World family” in helping them to do things they always dreamed of and become the people they’ve always wanted to be.

"Everyone of them spoke passionately about how they couldn’t have made the changes they had to eat more healthily and become more active without the support, advice and encouragement of their consultant and group every week.

"So there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that Slimming World and people like Janine who run and manage the groups are very special.”